As residents of a close-knit community, we value the safety and wellbeing of our children and grandkids. We are alarmed by the recent plans to open a bar in the old fire hall building, adjacent to the Ruritan—where our children play and our community gathers. As you all know the Enon Baptist Church was destroyed by the flood and since then we have gathered at the Ruritan every week for our Wednesday service meal. We have upwards of 60, 70, and even at times 80 kids that attend.

We firmly believe that a bar opening in close proximity to our kids' sports playing area, including the gathering area for Enon Baptist Church, and the school is not in the best interest of our community. This is not just a matter of public disturbance, but also of safety, given the potential link between alcohol outlets and crime rates (Jones L, Hughes K, Atkinson AM, Bellis MA. Reducing harm in drinking environments: a systematic review of effective approaches. Health Place. 2011). The introduction of a bar could negatively affect the environment that we, as responsible citizens, have strived to protect for the sake of our children and grandkids.

Moreover, the location of the proposed bar is not only near the school and sports playing area, but the other churches, too. This truly hits home for all of us. Safety is of the utmost importance in these spaces. With this petition, we call on our local authority to reconsider the placement of this new bar. Let's put safety and community cohesion before commercial interest. Please sign this petition to collectively take a stand for the welfare of our community, specifically for the safety of our children.

UPDATE

THE SITE HAS NOT ATTACHED CORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE DECISION MAKERS HERE IS THE CORRECT INFORMATION:

Freddie Malone malone4commission@gmail.com
423-677-1267

David Tomita
dtomita@washingtoncountytn.org
423-534-7680

Marty Johnson
dmj3378@gmail.com
423-791-3696

Jodi Jones
jodiforcounty@gmail.com
423-946-0444

Larry England
lwengland72@gmail.com
423-361-7806

Larry England

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